Europa League Best XI: Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek make round-of-16 team

Here we run through the best WhoScored rated XI from the last-16 Europa League matches. In order to qualify for the team, players must have featured in both legs.

Goalkeeper: Samir Handanovic (Inter) – 8.07 rating

Inter were eliminated by Bundesliga side Frankfurt but there was only one goal scored over the two legs. Samir Handanovic’s heroics in goal kept Inter in the tie but his team-mates failed to score. In fact, Handanovic made more saves (13) than any other goalkeeper across both legs in the last-16.

Left-back: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) – 8.31 rating

Marcos Alonso has endured a difficult season domestically but found some form in both legs of Chelsea’s 8-0 aggregate win over Dynamo Kyiv. The Spaniard scored and assisted in Thursday’s 5-0 romp away to Kyiv, having failed to play a direct hand in a single goal in his previous 18 matches combined.

Centre-back: Ferro (Benfica) – 7.93 rating

Ferro effectively secured Benfica’s passage through to the quarter-finals after slotting in the first of two goals they scored in extra-time against Dynamo Zagreb on Thursday. Even in defeat in the first leg, Ferro caught the eye. The 21-year-old was Benfica’s highest WhoScored rated player in the first leg and made a last man tackle to ensure they only trailed 1-0 heading into Thursday.

Centre-back: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea) – 7.44 rating

Andreas Christensen started both games for Chelsea in their 8-0 aggregate win over Dynamo Kyiv. The Denmark international completed the most passes (169) of all players over both legs, only misplacing six passes. Christensen didn't put a foot wrong, making five tackles and interceptions combined over both games and winning four aerial duels.

Right-back: Davide Zappacosta (Chelsea) – 6.86 rating

A real dearth of performing right-backs in the last 16 of the Europa League means Davide Zappacosta gets in the best rated XI with a WhoScored rating of just 6.86. Zappacosta came off injured at the end of Thursday’s match but started both games and Chelsea didn't concede.

Left midfield: Willian (Chelsea) – 8.46 rating

Willian followed up his goalscoring performance from the first-leg with an assist for Olivier Giroud’s hat-trick goal. The Brazil international completed the most crosses of all players in the Europa League last-16 (8) and scored an almost identical free-kick to the one he netted against the same opponents back in 2015.

Central midfield: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) – 7.77 rating

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is the fifth of seven Chelsea players in our best rated XI after contributing hugely to their emphatic victory over Dynamo Kyiv. The England international ranked second for dribbles across all last-16 ties (8), while no player provided more assists than the 23-year-old (2).

Central midfield: Ibrahim Traore (Slavia Prague) – 7.75 rating

Slavia Prague eliminated Sevilla 6-5 on aggregate, with Ibrahim Traore netting the tie-deciding goal in the final minute of extra-time on Thursday. Traore also registered an assist in the first leg to help Slavia Prague earn a surprise 2-2 draw away to Sevilla. The 30-year-old completed four tackles over both games; made six clearances and blocked one shot.

Right midfield: Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) – 8.21 rating

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored twice and provided one assist in Chelsea’s straightforward progression in the last-16. The Chelsea teenager’s stock has risen dramatically this season, particularly impressing in the Europa League. Aside from his goals and assists, Hudson-Odoi also completed five dribbles and drew four fouls across both legs against Dynamo Kyiv.

Striker: Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) – 8.48 rating

Gerard Moreno played an integral role in Villarreal’s 5-2 aggregate win against Zenit, scoring twice and registering one assist. The 26-year-old is one of only two players from the last-16 to win the WhoScored Man of the Match award in both legs. Moreno had four shots in two matches against Zenit, while also registering four key passes and completing two dribbles.

Striker: Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) – 8.69 rating

Olivier Giroud finished the last-16 of the Europa League as the WhoScored Player of the Round, helped after scoring a hat-trick in Thursday’s drubbing of Dynamo Kyiv. The Frenchman also registered two assists over the two legs, with no player playing a direct hand in more goals than the Chelsea forward (5). Furthermore, only two players managed more touches in the opposition penalty area than the 32-year-old (15).